Exclusive-Biden Claims Credit for Toppling Assad
On Sunday, President Joe Biden delivered a brief address from the White House, asserting that his administration’s policies played a pivotal role in the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Assad, whose regime endured decades of a brutal and oppressive reign, was ousted by rebel forces.
Biden highlighted key U.S. strategies that contributed to Assad's downfall: diplomatic isolation of the regime, the ongoing engagement of Russia in Ukraine, and enabling Israel to act freely against Iran and its Hezbollah proxy. These measures, he stated, weakened Assad's hold on power and left his regime defenseless.
Over the past four years, President Joe Biden emphasized a firm and principled approach to U.S. policy on Syria. In a recent address, he outlined three key pillars of his administration’s strategy:
1. **Sanctions on Assad**: Biden stated that sanctions on Syrian dictator Bashar Assad were maintained unless he committed to a genuine political process to end the civil war, as outlined in a 2015 U.N. Security Council resolution. When Assad refused, the administration implemented comprehensive sanctions targeting him and those responsible for atrocities against the Syrian people.
2. **Military Presence and Counter-ISIS Operations**: The U.S. maintained a military presence in Syria, actively supporting local partners and ensuring that ISIS could not re-establish a foothold. This included eliminating key ISIS leaders and holding ground to prevent terrorist resurgence.
3. **Backing Israel Against Iranian Influence**: Biden underscored U.S. support for Israel’s operations against Iranian-aligned networks in Syria and their supply routes to Lebanon. When necessary, the U.S. conducted targeted military actions against Iranian networks to safeguard American forces in the region.
Biden claimed these efforts shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, creating new opportunities for the people of Syria and fostering stability in the broader region. He also proposed drafting a new Syrian constitution with diverse input and providing international aid for reconstruction.
However, Biden omitted key historical context. Critics pointed out that the Obama administration, in which Biden served as Vice President, had initially sought to engage with Assad's regime and failed to act decisively after Assad’s use of chemical weapons in 2012, despite Obama’s “red line” warning. Furthermore, both Obama and Biden were accused of favoring a Middle Eastern balance of power that strengthened Iran, despite its controversial role in Syria. Contrary to Biden’s claims, critics argue that his administration often urged Israel to exercise restraint rather than granting full freedom of action against Iran.
While Biden’s vision for Syria includes optimistic goals, some view his statements as overly idealistic, with significant challenges remaining to rebuild the nation and achieve long-term peace.
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